How’s Your New Year Going?

Billie Worker was a child in my first church out of seminary, and is now an amazing adult and proud grandma. She graciously gave me her expressed permission to share what she wrote recently. I believe you’ll find this very helpful, encouraging, and instructive – – –

What is your new year’s resolution?

I don’t usually make one because I always break them. However, I have been doing a lot of soul searching and this is what I have decided: I am starting over.

I am committing to learning to love myself. I am seeking more of God’s heart and His plan for me.

I am going to learn to see myself through God’s eyes. (This could be a year long process)

I am determined to care only what God says about me and not what anyone else says or thinks of me.

I am going to live by these scriptures that I have posted below.

I am going to focus on becoming a better person, loving harder, loving more, and investing my time and energy into doing the work of the Lord.

I am committing to speaking positive words over myself and my family.

I am committing to self-care.

I know God has an amazing plan for me. God has called me to love others more than myself. He has called me to serve.

I will serve where I am allowed to do so.

I will focus on my family and my friends that love me for me.

I will focus on building my home on Godly principles.

I will shift my focus from people pleasing to pleasing God. (that will be the hardest for me) Ultimately that is really all that matters. My eternity is more important than any amount of money or status.

I believe we are living in the last days. People are selfish and only think of themselves. They are lovers of themselves, money, and the things of this world. Living in pleasure rather than the truth. Everything is about “me” and “what I want” without thinking about how others feel. We have all been there and lived this way. I know I have. Now is the time to change those behaviors. Love others above ourselves.

If we don’t agree with someone, just agree to disagree. Right your wrongs, say I’m sorry (and mean it) and love like you have never loved before.

Love yourself but not more than others. Serve when you can and sacrifice!

That’s right! SACRIFICE for others! It’s hard but it will be so worth it in the end.

My new year’s resolution is to be a better me regardless of the actions of others. I want to bless those who curse me and pray hard for others! I want to be better! I want to be happy and find my joy!

I want to spend eternity in heaven with Jesus and of course, my mom<3 Life is to short to wait!

Let the changes begin today!

I am looking forward to my new tender, responsive heart!

Looking at a few scriptures:
*Ezekial 36:26-28 “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. You will live in Israel, the land I gave your ancestors long ago. You will be my people, and I will be your God.

*Psalm 27: 1-3 The Lord is my light and my salvation, so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.

*Proverbs 16: 3-5 ” Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. The Lord has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster. The Lord detests the proud; they will surely be punished.

*2 Timothy 3: 1-5 “You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

What is your resolution?